Comments on: Is Competition Bashing Fair Game? http://bhgrealestateblog.com/2009/02/13/is-competition-bashing-fair-game/ Insights Into The Real Estate Industry Sun, 14 Mar 2010 23:17:49 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Portland Real Estate http://bhgrealestateblog.com/2009/02/13/is-competition-bashing-fair-game/comment-page-1/#comment-2480 Portland Real Estate Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:16:59 +0000 http://bhgrealestateblog.com/?p=1537#comment-2480 I completely agree, very well put. In a time when we are supposed to be extending our network of relationships and making new friends, there is no room to be backstabbing. I completely agree, very well put. In a time when we are supposed to be extending our network of relationships and making new friends, there is no room to be backstabbing.

]]> By: Sherry Chris http://bhgrealestateblog.com/2009/02/13/is-competition-bashing-fair-game/comment-page-1/#comment-2196 Sherry Chris Sun, 22 Feb 2009 01:04:09 +0000 http://bhgrealestateblog.com/?p=1537#comment-2196 Hi Jodi! Like the Jefferson quote, and thanks for the kind words... we are all in this together :) And we continue to learn from each other. Hi Jodi! Like the Jefferson quote, and thanks for the kind words… we are all in this together :) And we continue to learn from each other.

]]> By: Jodi Tussing http://bhgrealestateblog.com/2009/02/13/is-competition-bashing-fair-game/comment-page-1/#comment-2193 Jodi Tussing Sat, 21 Feb 2009 17:37:55 +0000 http://bhgrealestateblog.com/?p=1537#comment-2193 Sherry, I absolutely agree with you. As Jefferson says, my 'better angel' looks at the competition with respect, and I absolutely applaud good ideas, especially when they involve Best Pracitces. BTW- we all are watching you and what you are doing with BHG, and we are applauding you! At least once a week I hear someone talking about something you posted or said, it's making everyone say - hmmmm, BHG is everwhere! (Still loving C21!) Sherry,
I absolutely agree with you. As Jefferson says, my ‘better angel’ looks at the competition with respect, and I absolutely applaud good ideas, especially when they involve Best Pracitces. BTW- we all are watching you and what you are doing with BHG, and we are applauding you! At least once a week I hear someone talking about something you posted or said, it’s making everyone say – hmmmm, BHG is everwhere! (Still loving C21!)

]]> By: Sherry Chris http://bhgrealestateblog.com/2009/02/13/is-competition-bashing-fair-game/comment-page-1/#comment-2180 Sherry Chris Fri, 20 Feb 2009 12:13:51 +0000 http://bhgrealestateblog.com/?p=1537#comment-2180 Thanks to everyone for your comments and feedback. I appreciate you taking the time to voice your opinion.... Thanks to everyone for your comments and feedback. I appreciate you taking the time to voice your opinion….

]]> By: John Houlihan http://bhgrealestateblog.com/2009/02/13/is-competition-bashing-fair-game/comment-page-1/#comment-2172 John Houlihan Thu, 19 Feb 2009 08:17:28 +0000 http://bhgrealestateblog.com/?p=1537#comment-2172 Hi Sherry: Your words are so important for all to read that I am requesting your permission to post this blog on our office bulletin board. John Houlihan RE/MAX Masters Realty, West Vancouver, BC, Canada. Houlihan@Allstream.net www.twitter.com/LISTED Hi Sherry: Your words are so important for all to read that I am requesting your permission to post this blog on our office bulletin board.

John Houlihan
RE/MAX Masters Realty,
West Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Houlihan@Allstream.net

http://www.twitter.com/LISTED

]]> By: Jeremy B. Shapiro (ForeclosuresMass.com) http://bhgrealestateblog.com/2009/02/13/is-competition-bashing-fair-game/comment-page-1/#comment-2169 Jeremy B. Shapiro (ForeclosuresMass.com) Wed, 18 Feb 2009 19:36:16 +0000 http://bhgrealestateblog.com/?p=1537#comment-2169 This is similar to when a seller's agent doesn't want to work with a buyer's agent. Both agents have paying customers and each has one of the two necessary parties needed for the transaction and both parties are interested in doing business. Regardless, some seller's agents see a buyer's agent as "competition" instead of viewing them as a a partner. The fact is, we're all in the same business and it would behoove us all to help each other out! Jeremy B. Shapiro http://www.ForeclosuresMass.com/ blog: http://www.ForeclosuresMass.com/blog/ This is similar to when a seller’s agent doesn’t want to work with a buyer’s agent. Both agents have paying customers and each has one of the two necessary parties needed for the transaction and both parties are interested in doing business.

Regardless, some seller’s agents see a buyer’s agent as “competition” instead of viewing them as a a partner. The fact is, we’re all in the same business and it would behoove us all to help each other out!

Jeremy B. Shapiro
http://www.ForeclosuresMass.com/
blog: http://www.ForeclosuresMass.com/blog/

]]> By: Jeffrey Bastress http://bhgrealestateblog.com/2009/02/13/is-competition-bashing-fair-game/comment-page-1/#comment-2148 Jeffrey Bastress Tue, 17 Feb 2009 12:44:16 +0000 http://bhgrealestateblog.com/?p=1537#comment-2148 I would agree that competition bashing is out of control. But I must say that it is just as reprehensible for the largest real estate company in the world, blocks email accounts from companies they don't want agents communicating with their agents from, place their people on all the MLS and REALTOR boards as directors to influence practices that don't suit their ends, write white papers and threaten NAR into squashing anything not in their interests, and on and on of reprehensible back room tactics in outright squashing their competition. I think this largest real estate company in the world will fall like Goliath, as they simply have not seen the stone hurling directly at their forhead...until just now...and it is to late to get out of the way. So it is a very competitive business, and I am afraid Goliath's tactics and business plan simply have taught the David's to fight back for their own existense...and for what consumers really want. What has given the industry a bad name, is simply filling offices on every corner with hordes of inexperienced agents and charging clients top producer fees based on policy and not agent experience. So as they laughed at little David coming to take on Goliath...they are not laughing now. Jeffrey Bastress Startpoint Realty jeffrey@startpoint.com www.HomesByJeffrey.com blog: www.RealtyRag.com I would agree that competition bashing is out of control. But I must say that it is just as reprehensible for the largest real estate company in the world, blocks email accounts from companies they don’t want agents communicating with their agents from, place their people on all the MLS and REALTOR boards as directors to influence practices that don’t suit their ends, write white papers and threaten NAR into squashing anything not in their interests, and on and on of reprehensible back room tactics in outright squashing their competition.
I think this largest real estate company in the world will fall like Goliath, as they simply have not seen the stone hurling directly at their forhead…until just now…and it is to late to get out of the way.
So it is a very competitive business, and I am afraid Goliath’s tactics and business plan simply have taught the David’s to fight back for their own existense…and for what consumers really want.
What has given the industry a bad name, is simply filling offices on every corner with hordes of inexperienced agents and charging clients top producer fees based on policy and not agent experience.
So as they laughed at little David coming to take on Goliath…they are not laughing now.
Jeffrey Bastress
Startpoint Realty
jeffrey@startpoint.com
http://www.HomesByJeffrey.com
blog: http://www.RealtyRag.com

]]> By: Jeff L http://bhgrealestateblog.com/2009/02/13/is-competition-bashing-fair-game/comment-page-1/#comment-2147 Jeff L Tue, 17 Feb 2009 11:49:36 +0000 http://bhgrealestateblog.com/?p=1537#comment-2147 Sherry, you laid out the gauntlet very well and appropriately. The question then becomes: what is the plan that all of our friends must take to show ethical strength. Mr. Byrne's step is a critical piece: not just the agents but also the support staff must feel like they can trust the leaders and information from their organization. As long as they trust their leaders, they can rationalize (and at this point, to some it may be a rationalization) staying and fighting for the company, and not undermining it themselves. Lose that trust, and the people will believe and spread any and all things evil. To those who suggest that someone is weak because they believe rumors, I would offer this: ill rumors don't attack the mind, but the heart. It is not one rumor or thought that causes someone to fail, but rather the aggregation of rumors seeping in and finding holes in one's defense. I have known many fine people who through fear have succumbed to this. Diligence can save them and our companies. And so I would posit (in agreement with Sherry) that it is our strength that is in play here. But what is the best way to deliver it to those in need? Sherry, you laid out the gauntlet very well and appropriately. The question then becomes: what is the plan that all of our friends must take to show ethical strength.

Mr. Byrne’s step is a critical piece: not just the agents but also the support staff must feel like they can trust the leaders and information from their organization. As long as they trust their leaders, they can rationalize (and at this point, to some it may be a rationalization) staying and fighting for the company, and not undermining it themselves. Lose that trust, and the people will believe and spread any and all things evil.

To those who suggest that someone is weak because they believe rumors, I would offer this: ill rumors don’t attack the mind, but the heart. It is not one rumor or thought that causes someone to fail, but rather the aggregation of rumors seeping in and finding holes in one’s defense. I have known many fine people who through fear have succumbed to this. Diligence can save them and our companies.

And so I would posit (in agreement with Sherry) that it is our strength that is in play here. But what is the best way to deliver it to those in need?

]]> By: Joseph Ferrara.sellsius http://bhgrealestateblog.com/2009/02/13/is-competition-bashing-fair-game/comment-page-1/#comment-2139 Joseph Ferrara.sellsius Tue, 17 Feb 2009 04:58:32 +0000 http://bhgrealestateblog.com/?p=1537#comment-2139 I think the internet makes it easier for folks to bash their competition. The keyboard provides a safe separation and the prevalent snarkiness on the net makes it easier to cross the line into bashing. It is unfortunate. Hopefully, it is a temporary lapse of judgment--- for a prolonged negative campaign rarely produces a victory over your competition. I think the internet makes it easier for folks to bash their competition. The keyboard provides a safe separation and the prevalent snarkiness on the net makes it easier to cross the line into bashing. It is unfortunate. Hopefully, it is a temporary lapse of judgment— for a prolonged negative campaign rarely produces a victory over your competition.

]]> By: Jack Lindberg http://bhgrealestateblog.com/2009/02/13/is-competition-bashing-fair-game/comment-page-1/#comment-2132 Jack Lindberg Mon, 16 Feb 2009 21:45:04 +0000 http://bhgrealestateblog.com/?p=1537#comment-2132 Looks like Maria was fired up about this one... should I bash her? Or appreciate her passion and conviction (because it looks like she was typing as fast as she could on her cell phone - maybe even mumbling under her breath as well - LOL)? Those of us that know her know she is a fantastic person with fantastic thoughts and experience so for me... I'll take anything she has to say to heart. Anyone that is worth their salt won't be swayed by competition bashing. If you talk to someone that says they changed their mind because they listened to someone’s bashing then I'm know from personal experience that person would be more trouble to to you than they are worth. Let them go. Anyone that bashes only does so because they haven’t done their homework or they don’t have anything good to say about themselves. And those that listen aren’t any more informed... Mr. Internet has a great point as well ... they are definitely afraid. Fear many times brings out irrational behavior ... So the glass is half full from my perspective ... they’ve identified themselves so that you know who (and what) they are. And the other agents and brokers in the marketplace will know too...(or already do - such as I’ve mentioned about Vegas). Looks like Maria was fired up about this one… should I bash her? Or appreciate her passion and conviction (because it looks like she was typing as fast as she could on her cell phone – maybe even mumbling under her breath as well – LOL)? Those of us that know her know she is a fantastic person with fantastic thoughts and experience so for me… I’ll take anything she has to say to heart.

Anyone that is worth their salt won’t be swayed by competition bashing. If you talk to someone that says they changed their mind because they listened to someone’s bashing then I’m know from personal experience that person would be more trouble to to you than they are worth. Let them go. Anyone that bashes only does so because they haven’t done their homework or they don’t have anything good to say about themselves. And those that listen aren’t any more informed…

Mr. Internet has a great point as well … they are definitely afraid. Fear many times brings out irrational behavior …

So the glass is half full from my perspective … they’ve identified themselves so that you know who (and what) they are. And the other agents and brokers in the marketplace will know too…(or already do – such as I’ve mentioned about Vegas).

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